Popular actress Sohana Saba, in addition to working in films, regularly works on the small screen. She also worked in Kolkata films too. The actress is away from the world of lights, camera and action due to coronavirus. A Mizan talks to her about life and contemporary issues
How are you spending time?
In the beginning, spending time was a little difficult. In addition to watching many movies, I read books. Then after four or five days, a depression period came. It didn't look good at all. I fell into a routine of waking up, eating and then going to sleep again. Now everything has become according to rules. I used to eat a lot before, now, I eat less taking many things into consideration.
Maybe many people are starving. I have told my mother that we are going to survive for three months with the food that we would normally go through in one month. Sometimes I draw. Other than that I am doing pre-production works of my own ‘Khonarbari Production’. By now, I would have gone through shooting a cinema and a series and maybe they would’ve went into post production.
But that's not possible because of the coronavirus. So, in addition to those, I am planning and preparing for some further work. In the meantime I did a short film of four minutes seventeen seconds. Me, Meher Afroz Shaon and Chumki have worked in it.
Artistes are all actively working. Among them, my friend Sourav Chakraborty, the actor and director of Kolkata, told him to work in it and he agreed. Then Aritra worked in it, not because she is an actress but because she is my friend also. Saberi Alam, Saju Khadem and Aman Reza also worked in. We will be releasing the second episode as we got very good response.
How long has it been since you last stepped outside?
I stopped going out from March 10 or 11. I had gone out for some urgent work a couple of days in midst. Other than that I haven’t stepped out at all. Long before the instructions came from the government, I stopped going out being a conscious citizen.
What is your message to everyone at this time?
I have nothing to convey to everyone. I'm at home comfortably and there is no problem with my sustenance but there are so many day labourers who are starving. I feel very helpless. In addition to the government, many have personally extended their support to helpless people. In this situation, everyone should be aware.
In fact, those helpless people are not the only ones who suffer from coronavirus. Many big personalities are also suffering from the infection. The reason is overconfidence. Many people think that I have no risk, I am going out of the house because I am not mixing with anyone. For this, awareness must be created. Everyone should be thinking about their family and staying at home.
How much do you feel depressed by staying at home?
At first I was a little disappointed. Later, I have fallen into a routine life. I wake up every morning and then start every day in a proper way. It feels good now.
Missing media work?
To be honest, I was missing my work a lot at first. But, the short film release on Pahela Baishakh could say that I have been in the midst of work all the time. other than that I am working on some pre-production. And reading books and watching films are a part of our work. This is necessary to prepare for work. I am reading books regularly. Other than that I am connected with people through social media and other ways. I am creating videos on awareness. I am doing everything that can be done to create awareness.
Are you in regular contact with people in the media?
When you see the short film 'Nayantara Housing Limited' released Pahela Baishakh, you will understand that everyone is interacting with each other over video call. I have a very friendly relationship with the people of the media but I don’t get to mix that much with people other than those who I consider friends. I have regular contact with people close to me.
What do you want to do first after the coronavirus period?
I love traveling around the country to different places. I also have a few tour partners. We were planning a tour a while back. But it got delayed because I had to shift my home. Others than that I had a fever and cough also I was busy with shooting. Considering everything I couldn’t go. So, after the coronavirus period ends I want to finish all my pending shoots and go on a tour.
